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Stroke Assessment

Introduction

Why You Should Take This Assessment

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. A stroke is damage to an area of the brain that occurs from disrupted blood flow. This disturbance cuts off the supply of oxygen to the cells in that part of the brain, and these cells begin to die.

There are two main types of stroke:

Stroke caused by a blockage in an artery supplying part of the brain. This is called an ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke.
Stroke caused by bleeding within the brain. This is called a hemorrhagic stroke.

Damage to the brain can cause loss of speech, vision, or movement in an arm or a leg, depending on the part of the brain that is affected.

Anybody can have a stroke, but certain factors place you at higher risk. Some factors that increase your risk of stroke cannot be changed. The good news, however, is that many risk factors are linked to lifestyle and are, therefore, under your control.

How Much Time This Assessment Will Take

5 minutes

How To Prepare For This Assessment

Before starting, you should gather the following information, if you have it:

Family history of stroke
Total cholesterol
Blood pressure numbers

However, you can still benefit from this assessment, even if you don't have this information.

What You'll Get At The End Of The Assessment

An explanation of your important risks
Recommended action steps for reducing your risks
Links to additional reading

Review Date:	11/21/2010
Reviewed By:	Kevin Sheth, MD, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
References:	click to view.

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Adam makes no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, currentness, or timeliness of the content, text or graphics. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.